January 15, 2005
Christmas 2004 is now a fading memory - and I hope you have a great 2005. Here I've included my latest tip - mixing alcohol and murder mystery parties (which I really should have written before Christmas - but at least it's in time for next year...). Also, lots of new games have been released...
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January 2005, Issue #21
Table of Contents
1 News
2 Murder Mystery Tips - Alcohol and murder mystery games - do they mix?
1 News
Lots of new games this time...
Quicker than the Eye and Murder Plays a Sour Note
Mysteries-on-the-Net have released two new games. Quicker than the Eye is a murder mystery game for 8 to 40 serious sleuths. Murder Plays a Sour Note is a game for New Year's Eve and caters for 8 to 80 guests.
Both games feature several "acting" roles, one of whom is the murderer. You will need your detecting wits about you to solve this mystery - each of the acting roles has a detailed background and is then quizzed by other guests - who take on the role of special agents.
Click here to go to the Mysteries-on-the-Net site and learn more about their new games.
Dazzled to Death and The Night Before Christmas
Freeform Games have released their latest murder mystery party in two versions. Dazzled to Death is suitable for any occasion, while The Night before Christmas is a Christmas game. (Er, obviously.)
Set in 1948, the games feature the socialite Evington-Browne family ("E-B" to their friends) and guests preparing for their annual cocktail party, held at the family's hunting lodge in the White Mountains north of Boston. A fierce storm has set in, and the party finds itself cut off from the rest of the world. This is unfortunate, as the valet of one of the guests has been found dead in the kitchen...
Both games are for 12 to 15 guests, plus one host. They costs £20, which at the current exchange rate is about $39 (US)
Click here to download the free introductory pdf file and learn more about Dazzled to Death.
Murder at the Four Deuces 2
Dinner and a Murder Mystery Games have produced a sequel to their very popular Murder at the Four Deuces.
It is New Years Eve 1924 and Don & MeMe Wannabe are hosting their annual New Years Eve Bash at their speakeasy The Four Deuces. The Four Deuces is a lavish joint. The cream and not so cream of society will be here. With gangsters, hit men, politicians, opera singers, molls and many other interesting guests in attendance there are sure to be a lot of big deals being made here tonight.
This sequel takes place 5 years later and has most of the original characters returning, along with a few new ones. You do not need to have played the original version to play this one, but I recommend doing so as it adds depth to the game.
Murder at the Four Deuces 2 is for 12 to 20 teens and/or adults, and cost $49.
Guilty Parties News Blog
I've added a new page to the site - the Guilty Parties News Blog. I'm using this to announce new games, updates to the site and other murder mystery related news. If you subscribe to the this newsletter you won't miss a thing, but as this newsletter is bi-monthly and I'm aiming to update the news blog on a weekly or fortnightly basis, if you might want to check out the news blog for up to date news.
Click here to the Guilty Parties News Blog.
2 Murder Mystery Tips - Alcohol and murder mystery games - do they mix?
I've just finished reading "Watching the English" by Kate Fox, a completely absorbing anthropological study into the English and the rules of Englishness. Watching the English covers all aspects of English life - queuing, pubs, the weather, class, and so on. And I thoroughly enjoyed it - although I was a bit alarmed at quite how English I am!
One of the essences of being English is our lack of social ease - and our need for facilitators that help us interact and bond with others. Kate Fox doesn't explain why this may be (she admits that she doesn't know), just that lack of ease is a fundamental part of Englishness. And while activities such as murder mystery games are facilitators, so is alcohol.
Given that, should you mix the two? Should alcohol be served at your murder mystery party.
Personally, I would say that alcohol was almost a necessity for some people to enjoy murder mystery party games. For many people to really get into the swing of a murder mystery (particularly the more interactive parties) requires dropping a few inhibitions, and a glass or two of wine might be just what some people need. (I know I loosen up after a glass of wine.) So I certainly don't have a problem serving alcohol at murder parties.
In fact, I don't think I've ever played or hosted a murder mystery where there hasn't been a glass of wine to steady the nerves or loosen the tongue. And I think the only time I didn't drink was when I was driving. (Be safe - don't drink and drive.)
However, there is a fine line and, as Kate Fox points out, the English can be at their worst if they drink too much. Certainly a party can be ruined when a guest drinks too much and starts to behave poorly. As a host (and as a helpful guest) you should keep an eye out for anyone who looks like they may have had a drink too many - a quiet word may save an awful scene later on!
You can, of course, use the drinks you serve to contribute to your party's atmosphere by serving the appropriate drinks. For example, The Night Before Christmas is set at a cocktail party - so get someone to mix a few martinis. Mulled wine might be appropriate at Snow Business, which is set on a skiing holiday...
If you do serve alcohol, do remember to cater for those that don't drink and provide plenty of soft drinks - especially water. Certainly, I can't drink wine all evening and need plenty of water to keep me going. Murder mystery games are thirsty work!
So my personal view is to serve wine at the murder parties I host, and I usually bring a bottle if I am attending. But I don't go overboard - I've found that one or two glasses is sufficient. I also ensure that there are provide plenty of soft drinks - even if it's nothing more than jugs of water.
So, don't be afraid of serving wine with your parties, but do make sure that you have non-alcoholic alternatives, and please watch out for anyone drinking too much!
That's it for this time. Have a great party - and tell me all about it!
See you in the new year!
--steve
Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this zine and tell me what you think!
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